Outcome of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children treated by closed reduction and percutaneous pinning.

Supracondylar fractures of humerus in children are common injuries. Displaced fractures are inherently unstable. Conservative treatment results in malunion. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is more invasive and recovery is prolonged. From September 2004 to September 2005, 102 displaced supracondylar fractures of humerus, aged between one and half year to 13 years, were treated using close reduction and percutaneous Kirschner (K) wire fixation under c-arm fluoroscopy. Seventy nine patients were treated by cross K-wires and in twenty three cases lateral two K-wires were put. Above elbow plaster of paris back slab was applied in all cases for at least four weeks. Back slab, K-wires were removed after four weeks and elbow range of motion exercise was started. Results were analyzed using Flynn's criteria. All patients were followed up to 14th week postoperatively. In cross K-wire group(N=79) 70.8% had excellent, 22.7% good, 3.8% fair and 2.5% had poor results at eight weeks follow up which was improved to 91.1% excellent, 6.3 good, 1.2% fair and 1.26% poor results at 14 weeks follow up. In lateral K-wire group (N=23) 70% had excellent, 21.7% good, 4.3% fair and 4.3% had poor result at eighth week which was improved to 91.3% excellent, 4.3% good, 4.3% fair and no poor result at 14th week follow up. Eight patients got superficial pin tract infection and seven patients sustained ulnar nerve injury post operatively. We recommend this procedure for displaced supracondylar fractures in children as it is safe and cost effective procedure with acceptable complication rates.